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| | BUGLER ANTONIO DI SABATINI
Serial No. 2,026,561
925 Hovey St., Grand Rapids, Mich.
He was one of the early men to respond to the draft. Born in sunny Italy, the land of music and love, his nature was warm and full of enthusiasm. Like most of his race, be had a gift for music, which he proceeded to develop as his contribution to the service of America. He was accorded the distinction of being unquestionably the best bugler in the regiment.
His ability to “snap into it” suggested military training in the land from whence he came. DiSabatini was a natural-born soldier. He was very punctilious as to personal cleanliness and appearance and when not on duty was generally polishing up.
At the front DiSabatini performed the duties of orderly to the Captain and as a runner, delivering important messages during the combat, he was exposed to the perils of the lines.
Other than when the Battery was at the front, his duty was that of bugler. Very courteous in manner and anxious to help everybody, he was probably the most popular man in the Battery, excepting, perhaps, at times, expressed in the following:
“The bugler—he’s that much-loved cuss
Who runs around and makes a fuss,
Quite early in the morning.”
He figured in a funny incident at Lohac, when the Captain sprung Canteen Inspection and heartlessly poured the bugler’s rich, red wine on the ground.
Also when Colonel McKell, wishing to give Captain Cherrill a message, called the Battery roll at the Montauville position and in desperation asked, “Is there a bugler there?” DiSabatini responded.
In Pont-a-Mousson, when the prisoners were returning through the lines, he met a party of Italian engineers who had been taken and held by the enemy.
He wanted to show the altruistic spirit of America and promised the party they would have a meal. This was, of course, not certain, particularly as the Mess Sergeant had apportioned the rations. He brought up his party and the Sergeant understanding the impulse which prompted our bugler, provided the necessary rations. While his tattered and starved countrymen partook of the bounty of America, as Tony wished they should, he sat on the ground and talked, having passed his own rations to the others. It is the privilege of any soldier, after all have been fed, to go back and get seconds, if there is anything left. He procured seconds for himself and for the others, and was much delighted to be able to demonstrate to them the munificence of the country of his adoption. He had become thoroughly saturated with the ideals of the United States and our people, and the demonstrative nature of his race made him enthusiastic about everything American. He was provided with funds, food and passports to Italy and was to be given his discharge in France, so he could be reunited with his wife and friends. At the last moment before starting he sent back everything and announced that he would return with the Battery to America, where we learn his wife has since joined him.
He was held in high regard by the officers as well as by his comrades-in-arms. |